Great Crested Flycatcher

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This is the “default” Myiarchus of eastern North America. A large, stout-bodied species, it is usually heard more frequently than seen as it forages high in the canopy or subcanopy. Monotypic (previously considered polytypic). Length 6.8–8.4" (17–21 cm).

Similar Species Pale or bleached great cresteds are superficially similar to brown-cresteds or ash-throateds, but they still exhibit key field marks. Tails of juvenile brown-cresteds and ash-throateds are like the great crested’s but overall paler and lack broad white stripe on innermost secondary.

Voice Call: most familiar is an ascending whee-eep but also gives purr-it and series of whit notes. Dawn song: a continuously repeated series of modified whee-eeps.